System and method for viewing icon contents on a video display

ABSTRACT

A data processing system provides a folder icon for holding representations of sheets of information in user desired order. The folder has a closed position in which a user generated label is viewable. The label is designed through a processor window activated through a tab portion of the closed folder icon. The folder also has an open position for viewing the sheets held in the folder. The folder is changed between its open and closed positions by activation of a main body portion of the closed icon and the tab portion of the open folder icon. The open folder icon provides addition or removal of representations of sheets of information from and to an area outside of the folder in a screen view.

RELATION APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/307,699, filed on 7Feb. 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 245,419, filed on Sep. 16, 1988, for "DocumentManipulation in a Data Processing System" assigned to the assignee ofthe present invention, now abandoned, and of U.S. application Ser. No.200,091, filed on May 27, 1988, for "Apparatus for ManipulatingDocuments in a Data Processing System", now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many of today's businesses, various tasks are now automated bycomputers. For instance, a word processor enables the reorganizing andrewriting of documents without the retyping known in the past. Inaddition, various documents may be organized and stored by a computerfiling system which allows retrieval by name, by chronological oralphabetical order, or by other user-desired identification. Anotherexample is a mail system on a network of computer terminals which allowsmessages to be sent to and from users of the network. Also, a phonesystem may be connected to a mail system which in turn enables phonemessages to be stored and later forwarded to users. These and othercomputer devices enable various daily office tasks to be accomplishedmore quickly and more efficiently.

However, most computer devices require the user to be computer literateand to learn commands to direct the computer to perform the desiredtasks. In more recent computer developments, user interaction with thecomputer, or as generally referenced in the art, the user interface,comprises menus or a series of commands from which to choose. For eachdecision juncture during the use of a computer device, an appropriatemenu is displayed to the user to prompt the user on the available,proper commands at the juncture. The user only needs to choose thecommand from the menu which will direct (in part or in full) thecomputer to perform the desired task. Due to the menu providing theproper possible commands, the user does not have to remember or recallcommands to the computer. Hence, the menus are considered to makecomputer devices more "user friendly".

Although the choices on a menu generally are descriptive phrases writtenin terms which are more common to our everyday language rather than in acoded or technical computer language, the descriptive phrases may notinitially have meaning, or at least the proper meaning, to a first-timeuser or a user who is not computer literate. The user does have to learnthe respective meaning of each menu choice.

In addition, the input devices through which the user communicatescommands or menu selections to the computer pose various complexities.For example, a keyboard requires knowledge of the position of each keyin order for a user to use the keyboard proficiently. A mouse, being arelative movement device, requires certain eye-hand coordination and isoperated by unnatural movements such as single and double clicking atappropriate times which must be remembered by the user.

In turn, many office personnel do not make use of computer devicesbecause of the time and complexity in learning to operate these devices.

Accordingly, there is a need to make computer devices, and particularlythose for office use, more "user friendly" and readily useableespecially to first-time and computer illiterate users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention of the parent application discloses a computer devicewhich provides a graphically based user interface that simulates anoffice desk and user interaction with items on the desk. The itemsinclude (i) documents which are represented by miniaturized imagescalled stamps, and (ii) various desk tools or accessories which arerepresented by icons. In general, that disclosed computer device isemployed by a terminal or a network of terminals of a digital processingsystem. Each terminal typically provides a monitor screen which displaysvarious views to the user, a keyboard which enables typed input to thedigital processing system, and an electronic stylus which enablesfurther user interaction with the digital processing system but in anatural format.

The natural format by which the user communicates through the electronicstylus is one aspect of the user interface of the invention of theparent application. A second aspect of the user interface disclosed bythat invention is the screen view of the user's system desk, a computerwork area distinguished from the user's office desk and displayed on theterminal monitor screen to provide a representation of all the documentsand accessories which are currently at the user's disposal. The presentinvention provides a folder accessory for the desk view, in which userselected documents are held in a desired order.

In a preferred embodiment a folder includes two positions, open andclosed. In either position a user is able to move the folder and itscontents in total to reposition the folder and contents on the systemdesk as desired. Such repositioning is accomplished by the user actingon a main body portion of the icon representing the folder (i.e. aportion of the folder icon which is not covered by any stamp when thefolder is open) with the stylus. Specifically, the stylus is operated inwhat is called a "touch and move" manner on the folder icon.

In addition, with the folder closed, the user may label the folder byactivating a tab or labelling area of the folder. Activation is by a"touch and lift" operation of the stylus on the labelling area of thefolder icon. Upon activation of the labelling area, a processing windowis presented and enables the user to hand write with the stylus and/ortype with the keyboard a visually identifiable label design on the mainbody portion of the folder. Menu selections or similar elements are usedto end the window and the labelling process. Upon returning to a screenview of the system desk, the icon of the folder bears the label createdby the user through the window process.

To open a folder, the user "touches and lifts" the stylus on the mainbody portion of the folder icon. The open folder has two half sectionspositioned adjacent each other. In the open position of a folder, theuser views various stamps of documents which the user has placed in thefolder. The folder is always initially opened to the beginning of thestack of stamps held in the folder. Thereafter, the user is able to pagethrough the stamps in a manner similar to paging through sheets ofpapers in a common office folder which forms a stack half on each halfsection or side of the open folder. Each stamp is moved from one side ofthe folder to the other side by a touch and move operation of the styluson the stamp.

In one embodiment, the stamps are shown face up on the side of thefolder on which the initial stack of stamps sits and shows the stampsface down on the opposite side of the folder to which the stamps aremoved during the paging process. In an alternative embodiment, thestamps are shown right side up on both sides of the folder such that auser is able to view the stamps on either side of the folder.

The user may also view a full screen-size image of the documentrepresented by a certain stamp. To do so, the user pages through thestack of stamps held in the folder until the desired stamp is exposed(i.e. positioned on top of a stack half on either side of the folder).The user then operates the stylus in the touch and lift manner on thestamp to select the stamp. In response to such selection, the documentcorresponding to the selected stamp is displayed in a full screen sizeview. In that view the user is able to page through the document itselfif it is a multi-page document and read and/or annotate the document. Amenu selection enables the user to return to the desk view with thefolder opened to the last position before full screen view of theselected document and the stamp of the viewed document in the folderwith any annotations made to the stamp during the full screen viewing.

In the open position of a folder, the user also may remove documentstherein by a touch and move operation of the stylus on the stamp of thedesired document. Before a document stamp may be removed from a folderthe stack of stamps must be paged through until the desired stamp isexposed (i.e. positioned on the top of a stack half on either side ofthe open folder). Once the desired stamp is exposed, it is removed fromthe stack half and repositioned to a desired area of the system desk.

In a similar manner, stamps of documents may be added to a desiredposition in the stack in the open folder. The user pages through thestack of stamps in the folder to a desired position. Next the useroperates the stylus in the touch and move manner to reposition a desiredstamp from the system desk onto the top of the stack half on one side ofthe folder. Thereafter, the user may page through the stack halves orclose the folder with the desired stamp effectively inserted into thecontents of the folder at the position of the exposed end of the stackhalf on the side of the folder on which the stamp was placed.

To that end, the ordering of the stamps in the folder is changed only bythe removal or insertion of a stamp by the user with the folder contentshaving been paged through to a desired point, just as is done with aneveryday folder file.

To close an open folder, the user touches and lifts with the stylus ontab area of the open folder icon. Upon closing, the folder holds thecontents in the user generated order. A reopening of the folder producesthe contents in that order but with the stamps in one stack, thebeginning of the stack shown on top and the rest of the stampsillustrated underneath.

In addition, the folder icon may represent a folder which opens andcloses horizontally (i.e. right to left, left to right) or a folder thatopens and closes vertically (above to below, below to above).

In a preferred embodiment, the desk view provides a trash barrel orsimilar icon to provide means of removing a desired item from the screenview. The user moves the icon of the desired item to the upper side ofthe trash barrel icon with the touch and move operation of the stylus.Upon placing the subject item icon on the upper side of the trash barrelicon, the processing system removes the subject item from the desk view.

In the case of a folder being disposed through the trash barrel icon,the contents of the folder together with the folder itself are removedfrom the desk view. In an alternative embodiment only empty folders intheir closed positions are allowed to be placed on the trash barrel iconto remove the folder from the desk view.

Upon retrieval from the trash barrel, the folder returns empty in oneembodiment and with its contents in another embodiment. Retrieval ispreferably through the upper side of the trash barrel icon with thestylus operated in a touch and move manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will beapparent from the following more particular description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a data processing system which embodiesthe present invention.

FIGS. 2a-2d are illustrations of a desk view displayed during use of thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the various applications performed by thesystem of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4a-4b are block diagrams of the database used in the desk view ofFIGS. 2a-2d.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a supervisor task for implementing operationof the desk application of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a tablet task for implementing the desk viewof FIGS. 2a-2d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THEN PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Generally speaking, the present invention is a part of a graphicallybased user interface in a computer device which simulates a desk,referred to as the user's system desk, and user interaction with itemson the desk. Details of this graphical interface and user interactiontherewith are found in parent U.S. application Ser. No. 245,419 and areincorporated herein by reference. The details are only summarizedhereafter as necessary for the understanding of the present invention.

Briefly, the interface provides a major screen view called the "deskview" in which the user's system desk is illustrated with "paper"documents, trays and/or folders for holding documents in user desiredorder, and various accessories, such as but not limited to a stapler,means for mailing documents, a trash barrel and means for providingblank paper. All items on the illustrated desk are movable and are ableto be placed in any position on the desk by movements of the stylus on awriting surface which mimic human motions of grabbing an item, moving anitem and pointing to an item to establish selection of the item. Theitems are indicated in the screen view of the user's system desk byicons or by illustrative representations, and movements of the styluswith respect to an item are indicated in the screen view by variouscursors.

In particular, paper documents are illustrated on the user's system deskby reduced images called stamps, and items which provide a process oractivity are represented on the user's system desk by icons. Some iconshave various regions which, with certain treatment, provide differentoperation or use of the item represented by the icon. For example, theicon for a tray is repositioned by a touch and move operation of thestylus on any visible portion (i.e. uncovered by other icons and/orreduced images) of the icon, and the icon enables labelling of the trayby a touch and lift operation of the stylus on the designated label areaof the icon followed by a writing/erasing use of the stylus thereon.Hence, different parts of the icon provide different effects withrespect to operation of the stylus therewith.

The present invention provides a folder icon for holding stamps asdesired by the user. Like the other icons and stamps, folder icons arerepositionable on the desk by a touch and move operation of the stylus.Also, like tray icons, folder icons are labellable. In addition,however, folder icons are able to be opened for reviewing documentstamps held therein and shut to cover the contained document stamps.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention are describedin more detail and are more readily understood with reference to a dataprocessing system which implements the desk interface and which isillustrated in FIG. 1. The data processing system 20 includes a computerterminal 10 with a keyboard 12 and a display unit 18, a two-endedelectronic stylus 14 and an electronic tablet 16, all of which areconnected to and driven by a digital processor 22. Digital processor 22may be of the multi-task type but a single task type is assumed in thedescription of the preferred embodiment. Preferably, an audio assemblyhaving an input and output port, such as a telephone set 24, is alsoconnected to the terminal 10 for combining audio information with visualinformation input through the stylus 14 and keyboard 12. In addition, afacsimile transmitter and receiver 51 is coupled to terminal 10 forproviding further communication means.

It is understood that display unit 18 provides a video display but isnot limited to a raster type CRT and may be of an LCD or gas plasma typedisplay unit or of other display technology.

The stylus 14 is used on an upper planar surface of the tablet 16 toperform certain tasks such as repositioning displayed items, orselecting displayed items for further processing. The actions of thestylus 14 on the surface of the tablet 16 are displayed on display unit18 and the positions on the tablet have a one to one correspondence withthe view 26 displayed on the display unit 18. Thus, as the user appliesthe stylus 14 to the tablet surface, an image representation of what theuser is doing with the stylus is provided in the view 26 of display unit18.

In the alternative, the tablet 16 and display unit 18 may be a singleunit such that the stylus 14 is operated directly on the screen of thedisplay unit 18.

The two-ended stylus 14 operates from either end, the writing tip end 30or the eraser end 28. When either the writing tip end 30 or the eraserend 28 is in close proximity (about 2 cm or less) to the surface of thetablet 16, that end is sensed and indicated in the view 26 of display 18by a representative cursor. Two factors are used in sensing theproximity of either ends 28, 30 of stylus 14 to the surface of table 16.The factors include a height position along an axis perpendicular to thetablet surface (i.e. z-axis) as detected by the circuits of the tablet16 and a pressure indication sensed by a pressure transducer in thestylus 14.

Preferably, tablet 16 comprises an x- and y-axis sampling circuit, wherex and y are orthogonal axes in the plane of the tablet surface, and aseparate z-axis sampling circuit. The x- and y-axis and z-axis samplingcircuits operate on a predetermined schedule and generate signals whichare converted into respective digital values. The digital values areused in a relationship known in the art to provide an indication ofposition of the stylus 14 relative to the tablet 16 along the x, y andz-axes.

In addition, the writing tip end 30 and the eraser end 28 of the stylus14 are alternately driven by a tablet processor. When one end is movedinto and sensed in proximity of the tablet surface, then just that endis driven. The driven stylus end responds to four different manners ofoperation to provide different effects. A "touch and lift" operation isused for selecting an item exhibited on display unit 18. Preferably,once the writing tip end 30 or the eraser end 28 makes contact with thetablet surface, the "touch" part of the operation is defined but theuser must lift the stylus end 28, 30 from the tablet surface within thesucceeding second or so to define the "lift" portion of the operation.If the user delays in lifting the stylus end 28, 30, then the "touch andlift" operation is not invoked and no effect results.

A "touch and move" enables the user to move a displayed item anywhere inthe view 26 of display unit 18. The operation is invoked upon the userplacing the writing tip end 30 or the eraser end 28 on the tabletsurface and moving the stylus end 28, 30 while maintaining it in contactwith the tablet surface for more than a preset number of pixels, forexample, four pixels.

The third and fourth manners of operation depend on the stylus end beingdriven. In the case of the writing tip end 30 of the stylus 14, use ofthe end 30 in a writing manner inserts markings on a chosen displayeddocument. In the case of the eraser end 28 being driven, erasing withthe eraser end 28 deletes certain writing tip end markings or portionsthereof. In particular, the eraser end 28 when driven alone allowsoperation in a manner which removes markings or parts thereof that havebeen made by the writing tip end 30 within the same session ofwriting/erasing on a chosen displayed item. Further, the eraser end 28removes markings in a wider band than the band in which the writing tipend 30 writes. Whether movement causes writing/eraser or movement of anitem depends on whether a writing surface is displayed and whether thecursor is at the edge or center of the writing surface.

Optionally, the stylus 14 may be of other designs, for example singleworking ended. In that case, erasure may be provided through keyboardoperations or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2d, the desk view 32 is central to thevarious tasks and applications of the system 20 and serves as a visualinterface between the user and digital processor 22. In a preferredembodiment, the desk view 32 provides a user system desk 36 whichrepresents the computer work area of the user and appears as thebackground of the desk view 32. On the system desk 36, the desk view 32provides miniaturized images or stamps 34 of various documents whichhave been created and/or annotated by the annotation capabilities ofsystem 20. Although the stamp representations of the documents arespecifically similar to icons, the stamps 34 are more functional orinformative than icons. In particular, various direct treatment anddirect manipulation of stamps 34 in desk view 32 are accomplished byapplying the different stylus operations to the stamps.

For instance, the full screen image of a document may be viewed onscreen 26 from the desk view 32 by selection of the corresponding stamp34. Selection of the stamp 34 during the desk view 32 is accomplished bythe touching and lifting of one end of stylus 14 on the tablet positionwhich corresponds to a position within bounds of the corresponding stamp34 in the desk view 32. Upon completion of the touch and lift operationof the stylus 14, a full screen view of the document is displayed ondisplay unit 18. Thereafter, the document may be annotated in fullscreen view by the stylus 14 operated in its writing and erasingmanners, by the keyboard 12 and by audio input through the audioassembly 24.

Also the stamps 34 of a user's documents may be directly moved around onthe desk 36 by the user operating the writing tip end 30 or eraser end28 of stylus 14 in the "touch and move" manner with respect to anyregion within bounds of the stamps 34 shown in FIG. 2d. That is, toreposition stamp 34 the user points with and places an end 28, 30 of thestylus on a position on the tablet surface which corresponds to aposition on or enclosed within border 35 of the desired document stamp34 as displayed in the desk view 32, drags the stylus end 28, 30 acrossthe surface of the tablet 16 to the desired position on the tablet 16which corresponds to the desired ending position in the desk view 32,and removes the stylus end 28, 30 from the tablet surface.

During the dragging of the stylus end 28, 30 across the tablet surface,the display unit 18 shows the stamp 34 of the desired document beingmoved from its initial position, through various intermediate positions,to the desired position on the system desk 36 in correspondence with thedragging of the stylus end 28, 30 across the surface of tablet 16. Whenthe user lifts the end 28, 30 of stylus 14 off the surface of tablet 16,the user stops operation of the stylus in the "touch and move" mannerand thus ends the ability to move the document stamp 34 on the systemdesk 36.

Preferably, the cursor 301 depicting a closed fisted hand is illuminatedadjacent one side of the document stamp 34 by which the stamp appears tobe moved as shown in FIG. 2d. The closed fisted hand cursor 301 andadjacent document stamp 34 move in the same pattern along the desk viewas the writing tip end 30 or eraser end 28 moves along the tabletsurface.

In addition to the various stamps 34 of documents, the desk view 32provides indications of various depositories for documents, and variousaccessories which represent operations of processor 22 that the user canelect to perform from the user system desk 36 as described later. Onedepository is preferably labelled the "In-box" 63 and serves as a trayfor receiving all new documents created by the user, any mail sent tothe user by electronic mail, and any new items for the desk as requestedby the user. The In-box is globally known and is interfaced to thepre-established electronic mail system, and thus available for mailpurposes throughout a network of terminals to which system 20 belongs.Common addressing techniques are used.

When the In-box serves as a delivery spot for new items requested by theuser, processor means provide icons of the requested items in the In-box63. Thereafter, the user retrieves the items from the In-box by thetouch and move operation of the stylus on one icon at a time held in theIn-box. The retrieved icon is positioned on the system desk 36 asdesired by the user again with the touch and move operation of thestylus 14.

One such item which can be obtained through the In-box delivery schemeis a folder 45. Other schemes for providing folders 45 in desk view 32are also suitable. As shown in FIGS. 2a-2d, folders 45 may be used tohold stamps in a user desired order. Folders 45 are represented by avertically (upper to lower) opening icon or in the alternative, by ahorizontally (right to left) opening icon as shown in FIG. 2a. Operationof either representation is understood to be the same as the other andis described next.

Each folder icon 45 has a tab portion 46 for labelling and a main bodyportion 48 to which the tab portion is connected. Such a design mimicsthe familiar cardboard folder commonly used in various businesses. Atouching and lifting of the stylus 14 on the tab portion 46 of folder 45initiates a window process for labelling the folder. Upon such atouching and lifting of the stylus on tab portion 46, processor meansdisplays a window 50 with a folder shaped writing area 42 on desk view32 as illustrated in FIG. 2b. Within the initiated window 50, a penciltip or eraser cursor is displayed when the user places the respectivestylus end in proximity of the tablet at the tablet positioncorresponding to a position within the window area. A subsequentscribing motion of the writing tip end on the tablet positioncorresponding to the folder shaped writing area 42 generates the userdesired label design in the user's handwriting. Similarly, bypositioning a typing cursor 44, with the touch and move method of use ofstylus 14, on the writing area 42 and thereafter typing in the writingarea via keyboard 12 produces a typewritten label on folder 45. Further,a combination of typing through keyboard 12 and writing with stylus 14to produce the label for folder 45 on the writing area 42 of the foldermay be used.

Stylus markings or portions thereof may be erased by rubbing eraser end28 of stylus 14 on the tablet position corresponding to the desiredstylus markings or portions thereof in the window 50 of desk view 32.Newly typed portions on the folder label may be erased by keyboard meansas in common typing processes. If folder 45 was previously labelled andis now being relabelled, the handwriting and typing of the previouslabel is shown on the folder shaped writing area 42 and may be erased inpart or in whole by eraser end 28 of stylus 14 used in the erasureoperation. A menu pick from a menu 40 associated with the window 50enables erasure of all markings typed and handwritten, previouslyexisting and newly generated. The second menu pick from the menu 40enables termination of the window process initiated to label the folder45 and returns the screen view 26 to the desk view 32 with the folderlabelled or relabelled as desired.

The labelling window process is supported by a bit map whose bits arechanged according to the typing, writing and erasing described above.The erase-all menu pick provides a blank bit map. The same bit map isused for a folder 45 from its first labelling through subsequentrelabelling processes. In this manner, the previous label is shownduring a subsequent labelling process and is changed by the changing ofthe bits (e.g. on, off) of the bit map.

A touch and lift of stylus 14 on the main body portion 48 of folder 45selects the folder such that the folder is displayed in an open positionand a stack of the stamps contained therein is exhibited on one side(i.e. right side or upper side) of the open folder as shown in FIG. 2c.The stamps in the exhibited stack are in an order established by theuser from the last time the folder was in its open position. The stampat the beginning of the stack is readily visible being front side up,and the succeeding stamps are illustrated to similarly be front side upbut lying underneath the beginning stamp.

The stamps 34 may be moved from a front side up position on one side ofthe open folder (right side, or upper side) to a front side downposition on the opposite side of the folder (left side, or lower side)by the touch and move operation of the stylus 14 on the stamps 34 infolder 45. FIG. 2d provides an illustration of the two sides of an openfolder 45 holding the generated stack halves. Such manipulation of thestamps in the folder 45 allows the user to scan or page through thestack of stamps contained therein while maintaining the order of thestamps. This feature mimics the familiar actions used with actual paperswhich are to be kept in a desired order within a folder or the like.

In the alternative, stamps 34 may be shown front side up on each side ofthe open folder to enable user viewing of the stamps at the exposed endsof the stack halves of stamps in open folder 45.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2d, with the touch and move operation of stylus14, other stamps 34 may be moved from the system desk 36 to a desiredside of open folder 45 so as to add the stamp to the folder. The addedstamp automatically assumes a respective front side up or front sidedown position depending on the side of the folder on which the stamp isplaced. For the alternative case, the added stamp is shown in a frontside up manner on the side of the folder on which the stamp was placed.To insure maintenance of the desired order of stamps in the stack, theuser pages through the stack to the position at which a stamp is desiredto be added by the above described method and then moves the desiredstamp from the desk 36 to the top of a stack half on a side of openfolder 45.

Preferably, the processor 22 detects intersection of a stamp being movedover a folder half and in response displays the stamp automaticallypositioned on top of the stack on the intersected folder half.

Stamps 34 may be similarly removed from the open folder 45 with thetouch and move operation of the stylus 14. In order to remove a stampfrom open folder 45, the stamp must be at the exposed end or top of astack half on either side of the folder 45. This is accomplished by theuser paging through the stack of stamps and stopping with the stampdesired to be removed on top of a stack half. Thereafter the stamp maybe moved from the top of the stack half to a position on the system desk36. The stamp 34 removed from open folder 45 assumes a front side upposition on the desk 36 to enable individual display of the stamp indesk view 32.

Stamps which have been stapled together by staple means 52 on systemdesk 36 act as a single stamp which may be inserted and subsequentlyremoved from folder 45 in the same manner as described above for singlestamps 34.

Also with the folder 45 in an open position, the stamp at the exposedend or top of a stack half on either side of the folder may be selectedfor full screen display with the touch and lift operation of the styluson the stamp. Such operation provides a full screen view of the documentcorresponding to the selected stamp and initiates annotation processingof the document as disclosed in a related U.S. patent application Ser.No. 200,091, now abandoned for "Document Annotation and Manipulation ina Data Processing System" assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention. Upon return from the annotation processing, processor 22displays the desk view 32 with the stamp of the viewed and/or annotateddocument in the open folder 45 in the stack position (i.e. top of thestack half) from which the stamp was initially selected on the systemdesk 36. The stamp is displayed bearing any annotations made to thecorresponding document during the annotation processing from which thescreen (desk) view is being returned.

Open folder 45 is closed by a touch and lift of stylus 14 on the tabletposition corresponding to the tab portion 46 of the folder 45. Uponclosing a folder, the two stack halves are combined to form a singlestack with the stamps in the order established by the user while thefolder was open. When the folder 45 is reopened, the single formed stackis exhibited on one side of the open folder with a beginning stamp (i.e.the stamp on the top of the stack) visible as described previously.

Folder 45, opened or closed, is repositioned on the system desk 36 indesk view 32 by the touch and move operation of stylus 14 on theremaining main body portion (i.e. not tab or stamp covered portions) offolder 45. The folder together with its contents is moved as one entityin a pattern corresponding to the motion of stylus 14 on tablet 16. Sucha repositioning technique is useful for reorganizing folders 45 onsystem desk 36 in a natural manner.

Repositioning of open folder 45 is preferably limited to areas of desk36 which are not occupied by an icon of another desk item. To that end,open folders can not be stacked on top of an icon of another item, andicons of other non-stamp items cannot be stacked on top of or in an openfolder. When either of such stacking is attempted, processor 22automatically separates the involved icons. One exception to thisstacking limitation is the stacking of open folders 45 on each otherwhich is accomplished by repeated touch and move operation of stylus ondesired open folders 45.

In its closed position, folder 45 has other stacking characteristics. Amultiplicity of closed folders may be stacked one on top of the other bya repeated touch and move operation of the stylus 14 on desired closedfolders. This feature allows the user to organize his desk as desired.The unique user generated labels on the closed folders enable the userto quickly recognize a folder with a first glance whether the folder isstacked or individually standing.

Closed folder 45 cannot be placed on top of certain other desk itemssuch as a stapler 52, staple remover 54 or icon indicating a processorapplication. If a user moves a closed folder icon to cover the icon ofone of these desk items, processor 22 automatically provides the deskview with the folder 45 underneath the icon of the desk item. Similarly,stamps 35 are not allowed to remain positioned over a folder. Upon auser placing a stamp on closed folder 45, processor 22 automaticallypositions stamp 34 under folder 45. A succeeding stamp or stampspositioned on folder 45 follow and are processor positioned immediatelyunder folder icon 45. As a result, a stack of stamps may form underclosed folder 45 and is accessible only after the folder is removed.

Trays 60 are provided on the system desk 36 to hold user desired stamps34 and/or closed folders 45 as shown in FIG. 2a. The trays 60 provide afurther organizational tool for the user and provides an additionaldesignated area for holding closed folders and/or stamps as desired. Inorder to place a closed folder 45 in a tray 60, the user operates thestylus 14 in the touch and move mode relative to the closed folder icon45. The user moves the folder icon on top of the tray icon 60 whichmimics the motions of a business person inserting a file folder into atray on a desk. Preferably, the stacking of stamps 34 and/or closedfolders 45 in a tray does not follow the above describedcharacteristics. Instead, the tray 60 allows the user to stack stamps 34and closed folders in a first in-last out order in the tray 60. Theitems in the tray 60 are subsequently retrievable by the touch and moveoperation of the stylus on the item icon on top of the stack in thetray. Removal of the item icon on top of the stack in the tray exposes asucceeding item icon. Once exposed, that item icon is considered to bethe top of the stack of item icons in the tray and is in a similarfashion, at that point, retrievable.

In an alternative embodiment, there exists a hierarchy for stacking deskitems in a tray. The hierarchy provides that icons of desk applications(e.g. mail box, stapler, printer, etc.) automatically be displayed ontop in the tray. Folders are second to icons of desk applications, andstamps are last so that they appear on the bottom of any pile of itemsin a tray. For each catagory (desk applications, folder, stamps), themost recent icon of that catagory placed in the tray is shown on top ofthe other icons of items in that catagory in the tray.

A tray 60, containing items or empty, is repositionable on desk 36 usinga touch and move operation of the stylus on portions of the tray whichare not covered by folders 45 or stamps 34. Such repositioning of thetray is illustrated by the tray with its contents being moved in apattern corresponding to the movement of the stylus end on the tablet16. Thus, the tray 60 and all its contents are moved all together asexpected with a common tray.

A closed folder 45 may be "thrown away" by operations of a trash barrelicon 74 shown in FIG. 2a. Disposal of a closed folder and the stampscontained therein is performed by placing a corresponding closed foldericon 45 on the illustrated trash barrel 74 using the touch and moveoperation of stylus 14 on the desired icon 45. Upon the user leaving thefolder 45 on the trash barrel icon 74, the processor stores the folder45 and associated contents accordingly. In an alternative embodiment,only empty folders may be disposed of through the trash barrel icon 74with the empty folder in its closed position.

A subsequent positioning of the stylus end over the lid 84 of trashbarrel icon 74 causes the lid 84 to be highlighted to indicate to theuser that an item has been disposed in the trash barrel. Removal of adisposed item is by the user touching a stylus end 28, 30 on a tabletposition corresponding to lid 84 of trash barrel 74 and moving thestylus end 28, 30 in contact with the tablet surface to a position whichcorresponds to an area outside of trash barrel 74. The last item to havebeen placed in the trash barrel 74 is the first item to be retrieved bythe foregoing method. Other ordering of items for retrieval may be useddepending on the data structure employed to implement the trash barrel74 which is, in general, a disk storage area. The retrieved folder 45holds the associated contents in the order at the time the folder andcontents were deposited in the trash barrel. Alternatively, the folder45 may be retrieved without contents and the contents are unretrievablefrom the trash barrel.

Software Details

The end user features of folders 45 in the desk view of system 20(FIG. 1) are provided by an Annotator-Desk task program 25 described inthe parent application and repeated here with reference to FIGS. 3-6.The desk view 32 and functions corresponding therewith are driven by adesk application routine 19 which is one of several application routinesin the Annotator-Desk task program 25. Other application routines arefor driving the annotator 21, or a printer 23, etc. The relationship ofthe desk view 32 to other applications (e.g. note pad, printer, mail,All Done, Annotator) is illustrated in FIG. 3.

An Applications Dispatcher (not shown) oversees all applications of theAnnotator-Desk task. The Applications Dispatcher uses a set of codesagreed upon by all applications to determine which application routineis to be executed. The code for requesting the desk application routine19 is preferably initiated from within the Annotator application 21. Inother embodiments, the Applications Dispatcher may be initialized withthe code for the desk application routine 19. Subsequent to receipt ofthe code for the desk application routine 19 and after execution of thelast requested application routine, the Applications Dispatcher enablesexecution of the desk application routine 19.

The desk application routine 19 is formed of two subroutine tasks, thesupervisor task 15 (FIG. 5) and tablet state diagram task 17 (FIG. 6)described later. The supervisor task 15 and tablet task 17 share andmanipulate a desk database which holds the information that keeps trackof the items currently on the user's system desk 36 including items inthe trash barrel 74.

Specifically as illustrated in FIG. 4a, the desk database comprises adoubly-linked list 92 for indicating attributes of each item in the deskview 32, a file 11 of stamp images, an icon file 59 containing thevarious icons used to represent the other desk items, and a file 13 inwhich the bitmap of the current desk view 32 is stored. Each entry 94 indoubly-linked list 92 describes an item in the desk view 32.

In particular as shown in FIG. 4b, each entry 94 specifies in respectivefields 96, 98 the position of the item in the desk view 32, and whetherthe item is a document stamp, In-box or other tray icon, icon of afolder, or a desk accessory icon. Also a placement field 67 specifieswhether the item is currently positioned in a tray, folder or otherholding device. If the item is a stamp, the type field 98 also indicateswhether the stamp is on top of or in a stack, or not included in anystack.

Also depending on the type of item indicated in type field 98, theprocessor 22 attributes certain predefined characteristics to the itemsuch as the class of moveable icon (desk tool, applications activatedwith a stamp, applications activated without a stamp) as designated inallocated fields. To that end, if a folder 45 is indicated in type field98, then the processor 22 does not allow the folder to remain on top oficons of desk tools such as the stapler and staple remover. Preferablythe processor 22 displays the desk tool icon automatically repositionedon top of the folder 45 after a user has placed the folder on the desktool icon.

The file location of the reduced image or graphical icon of the item isspecified in a respective field 100 (or 102 in the case of a stamp) ofentry 94 by an address or other indication of the associated position inthe stamp file 11 or icon file 59. File location of a second graphicalicon of the item, for example an open folder as opposed to a closedfolder, is specified in a respective field 80. Further, in the case of adocument stamp, a table of contents (called a superfile) listing allfiles, such as voice annotation files, visual annotation files and imagefiles, of the corresponding document is locatable by the name providedin the name field 102.

In the case of a folder 45 indicated in type field 98, a field 68indicates a data file 70 which represents the ordered contents of folder45. Two implementations of the data file 70 are provided in FIGS. 4c and4d. Other implementations are understood to be suitable.

In FIG. 4c, data file 70 of a folder 45 is implemented by a series ofchangeable double linked files 72. Specifically each file 72 provides apointer to the preceeding file and a pointer to the succeeding file inthe series. Each file 72 also specifies the superfile of a documentwhose corresponding stamp is held in folder 45. The files 72 are linkedin the order in which respective document stamps 34 are held or stackedin folder 45. The pointers are changed by known methods to provideaddition or removal of a file to effect addition or removal of a stamp34 from folder 45.

In FIG. 4d, datafile 70 of a folder 45 is implemented by an open endedfile. Each entry 78 in file 70 indicates the superfile of a documentwhose corresponding stamp is held in folder 45. Starting from a headersegment 76, the entries 78 are in the order in which respective documentstamps are held or stacked in folder 45. To effect addition or removalof a stamp 34 from folder 45, a corresponding entry 78 is added orremoved in the pertinent position of file 70 with succeeding entriesposition adjusted accordingly.

The entries 94 in doubly-linked list 42 are changeably linked in orderof most recently used item at the top of the list 92 to least recentlyused item at the bottom of the list 92. Each entry 94 has a firstpointer 64 (FIG. 4b) to the preceeding entry 94 and a second pointer 66(FIG. 4b) to the succeeding entry 94, both pointers of which are used inordering and reordering entries 94.

Now making reference to FIG. 5 and the operation of the supervisor task15 of the desk application 19 (FIG. 3), the basic purpose of thesupervisor task 15 is to maintain the display of desk view 32. When theApplications Dispatcher gives control to the supervisor task 15, thesupervisor task first determines if new documents and/or accessories andhence new stamps or icons need to be added to the system desk 36. If so,the current bit map image 13 (FIG. 4a) of the desk view 32 is updatedand new entries in the desk list 92 for the new items are madeaccordingly. Once an updated display of the desk view 32 is provided ondisplay unit 18, the supervisor task 15 adds to the In Box 63 of theuser's system desk 36 the stamps 34 and/or icons of the newly receivedfiles from the annotator application 21 and/or note pad application 27(FIG. 3), and enables the tablet task 17 (FIG. 6). Thereafter, thesupervisor task 15 monitors the keyboard 12 (FIG. 1) for entry ofrequests for desired applications and monitors the tablet task 17 foractivity. If there is no activity from either the keyboard 12 or thetablet 16 via tablet task 17 then the supervisor 15 checks for incomingmail and performs other procedures at 29 in FIG. 5. If there is incomingmail or other user desired tasks to be performed (such as satisfying anorder/request for a new item from the system catalogue of desk items),the supervisor task 15 passes the necessary files and control to theApplications Dispatcher. Upon return, the supervisor task 15 begins anewand puts the new mail and/or new items in the In Box 63 (or proper trayin the case of some mail) and continues to monitor the keyboard 12 andtablet task 17.

When the tablet task 17 or signals from keyboard 12 indicate that theuser has selected an accessory (such as a folder 45) or processoroperation other than a desk tool, the supervisor task 15 disables thetablet task 17 and passes to the Applications Dispatcher an identifierof the selected processor operation and the file of any document onwhich the processor operation is to operate. Thereafter the ApplicationDispatcher processes the requested processor operation.

The tablet task 17 (FIG. 6) follows the user's activity with the stylus14 relative to tablet 16. The tablet task 17 is responsible fordetermining which icon or stamp was selected, redrawing the necessaryparts of the desk view 32 (e.g. replacing a closed folder icon with anopen folder icon), displaying an icon or stamp being moved, relocatingthe icon or stamp, and passing a selected non-desk tool processoroperation (such as mail, printer and trash barrel applications) to thesupervisor task 15. The tablet task 17 also determines which method ofuse of the stylus 14 the user is currently using.

The flow chart of FIG. 6 illustrates operation of tablet task 17. When auser places an end 28, 30 of the stylus 14 on tablet 16 within sensingrange of tablet 16, the tablet task 17 displays an empty handed cursorto represent the present activity of the stylus 14. When the userpositions the stylus end 28, 30 on the tablet position corresponding toa stamp 34 or icon in desk view 32, the tablet task 17 tests at 33 inFIG. 6 the pressure exerted on the active end of the stylus 14 todetermine whether the user is intending to invoke a certain operation ofthe stylus 14 relative to the stamp 34 or icon. If the pressure exertedexceeds a predefined threshold then the tablet task 17 determines onwhich stamp 34 or on which type of icon (i.e. application or holdingmember such as a tray or folder) the stylus 14 is acting. This isaccomplished by the tablet task 17 starting at the beginning of thelinked list 92 (FIGS. 4a-4b) and checking each entry 94 to see if thecurrent cursor position is within the bounds stated in the positionfield 96 of the entry. The first entry found to have the current cursorposition within the bounds of the position field 96 is selected.

In the case of a stamp 34 being detected as the subject, the tablet task17 then determines which method of use of the stylus 14 is being used bytesting for an intersection of the boundary of the entry 94 withboundaries of all prior entries. If there are no intersections, thesubject stamp 34 is determined to be fully visible (i.e. not within astack but possibly on top of a stack) and the cursor is changed to amagnifying glass at 37 in FIG. 6 indicating that the associated documentwill be displayed if the user lifts his/her hand within the next second.Such displaying is handled by the annotation application routine whichis called by the supervisor task 15 after the supervisor task 15receives control from the tablet task 17. If the user does not lifthis/her hand within that second, then the cursor is changed to an emptyhand at 39 in FIG. 6.

If there are any intersections between the entry's boundary with that ofany previous entries 94 in list 92, then the stamp 34 is under otherstamps 34 or icons and may be automatically made visible at 41 in FIG. 6(i.e. brought to the top of the stack in which it lies) by the processor22. In the case of a holding member (e.g. tray or folder) being thedetected intersecting subject, if the stylus end is determined to bepositioned on a stamp inside the holding member then no action is taken.In an alternative embodiment, the stamp in a tray is made totallyvisible (i.e. is brought to the top of the stack in the tray). Otherwisethe holding member (tray or folder) is moved in accordance with usermovement of the stylus 14.

A commonly known hidden surface algorithm is used to determine whichparts of the stamp and/or icon are currently visible, and hence whatarea of the desk view 32 must be redrawn. The desk view 32 is preferablyredrawn at 43 in FIG. 6 by iterative clipping but other methods aresuitable. The hidden surface algorithm is then used to determine whichportions of the stamps/icons of the entries below the selected entry 94must be drawn. After this determination the selected entry 94 is removedfrom the linked list 92.

At this point after either the redrawing at 43 of desk 32 or thechanging of the cursor from a magnifying glass to an open hand at 39, ifthe user lifts the stylus 14 from tablet 16, then the tablet task 17 isended. In the case of having redrawn desk view 32, tablet task 17 isended after the selected entry 94 is added to the beginning of thelinked list 92. If the user, without lifting the stylus 14, moves thestylus end 28, 30 along the tablet surface, the tablet task 17 displaysa grasping hand cursor and moves the image of the stamp at 47 in FIG. 6,but does not yet update the linked list 92. If the user subsequentlyreleases the stamp on top of a processor operation icon of theactivated-with-document type, the tablet task 17 at 49 passes to thesupervisor task 15 the necessary information of the stamp and selectedprocessor operation to have that processor operation performed.Thereafter, the application routine which performs the proper operationreplaces the stamp to its original location in desk view 32, but on topof any stack at that location.

If the user releases the stamp on top of other stamps or non-processoroperation icons (e.g. a folder, open or closed), the new location isnoted in the position field 96 of the associated entry 94 for the stampin linked list 92. If the new position of the stamp relative to theother stamps/icons is within predefined alignment limits, then a routinefor snapping the stamps/icons to each other is performed. Any newaligned stack which results changes the type field 98 of the associatedentry 94. Further, the entry 94 corresponding to the newly positionedstamp/icon is made to be first in the linked list 92. It is noted thatsince there is no single operation to insert a stamp into a stack, thelinked list 92 is not only ordered by last accessed but also by stackdepth. That is, if the boundaries of the stamps/icons intersect, theirorder in the linked list 92 determines which is "on top of" the other.

If the detected subject under the stylus cursor is an icon of a deskaccessory or processor operation then it is determined at 31 in FIG. 6whether the user is operating the stylus in the "touch and lift" mannerto select the processor operation (including a folder labelling process)or in the "touch and move" manner to reposition the icon. In the formersituation, after the lifting of the stylus is detected, the tablet task17 determines whether the subject icon represents a processor operationwhich is selectable without a stamp. If so, then the tablet task 17passes the necessary information and control to the supervisor task 15,for example to begin the window labelling process or to open or close afolder 45 depending on whether the tab portion 46 or main body portion48 of the folder icon was acted upon. Otherwise the tablet task is endedand started anew with the detection of sufficient pressure on the stylusend.

If the stylus is being operated in the touch and move mode with respectto the subject processor operation icon, then tablet task 17 providesfor the display of the icon moving in correspondence to user movement ofthe stylus. Thereafter if the stylus is lifted such that the subjecticon is placed on a stamp then the tablet task 17 determines if thesubject icon represents a processor operation which is activated with astamp (the stamp being underneath the subject icon). If so, then thetablet task 17 passes to the supervisor task 15 control and necessaryinformation for processing the process operation corresponding to thechosen icon and stamp. The application routine subsequently called bythe supervisor task 15 replaces the icon to its original location indesk view 32.

The foregoing moving of a stamp or icon during any part of the tablettask 17 is accomplished by known methods which display the whole objectin motion from an initial position through intermediate positions to afinal position which are dictated by user operation of the stylus. Alsosuch movement is exhibited in a one to one correspondence with useroperation of the stylus which in turn provides a direct and naturalsense of manipulation of the items on the system desk 36.

Equivalents

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims. For example, though thepreferred implementation utilizes a stylus for input and control, thesystem desk has application to systems which are solely keyboardcontrolled and to systems which utilize a mouse for input. Also, thesystem desk may cooperate with application software other than theannotator. For example, the desk may serve as a filing system forconventional word processing and spreadsheet software.

We claim:
 1. In a data processing system having a video display fordisplaying a screen view with images of sheets of information and iconsof desk accessories, a graphical icon in the screen view comprising:atab area; a first main body portion generally rectangular in shape withthe tab area positioned adjacent one side of the rectangular shape so asto form a representation of a folder for holding images of desiredsheets of information in a user established order, the representationbeing changeable between a graphical representation of a closed folderin which only said first main body portion and said tab area aredisplayed and a graphical representation of an open folder in which asecond main body portion generally rectangular in shape disposedadjacent said first main body portion is also displayed upon useractivation of one of the main body and the tab area, each of the firstand second body portions of an open folder capable of holding a stack ofrepresentations of user selected sheets of information one on top of theother in user established order, the representation of a sheet on top ofthe stack held on either body portion being moveable to a top of thestack held on the other body portion such that the ordering of thesheets is maintained and the sheets in one stack are viewable one at atime, the representation of a sheet being visually identifiable on thetop of at least one of the stacks said tab area connected to one bodyportion for changing, upon user request, the screen view from displayingthe graphical representation of the open folder to displaying thegraphical representation of the closed folder.
 2. A graphical icon asclaimed in claim 1 wherein user request for changing the screen view todisplay the closed folder representation is through an electronic stylusbriefly contacting a position on a working surface corresponding toposition of the tab area in the screen view.
 3. A data processing systemcomprising:a video display displaying a screen view havingrepresentations of sheets of information and at least one changeablerepresentation of a folder for holding representations of user selectedsheets of information one on top of the other in user established order,tile changeable representation of the folder being changeable between agraphical representation of a closed folder and a graphicalrepresentation of an open folder with its contents viewable, thegraphical representation of the open folder comprising two body portionspositioned adjacent each other, each for holding a stack ofrepresentations of user selected sheets of information one on top of theother in user established order, the representation of a sheet on top ofthe stack held on either body portion being moveable to a top of thestack held on the other body portion such that the ordering of thesheets is maintained and the sheets in one stack are viewable one at atime, the representation of a sheet being visually identifiable on thetop of at least one of the stacks; and a tab member connected to onebody portion for changing the screen view upon user request frowndisplaying the graphical representation of an open folder to displayinga graphical representation of a closed folder; a processor coupled tothe video display changing the changeable representation of the folderbetween the graphical representation of a closed folder and thegraphical representation of an open folder upon user request; and atleast one input device connected to the processor for enabling a user tomake requests to the processor to change the screen view displayed bythe video display.
 4. A data processing system as claimed in claim 3wherein the graphical representation of an open folder initiallydisplayed upon a change from the graphical representation of a closedfolder includes representations of the user selected sheets ofinformation in order in one master stack on one half section, the otherhalf section being empty but able to hold representations of sheets ofinformation moved from atop the master stack thereto.
 5. A dataprocessing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the representation of asheet is visually identifiable on the top of either stack held on eitherhalf section.
 6. A data processing system as claimed in claim 3 whereinthe representation of a sheet on top of a stack is user moveable frominside the open folder to a desired position outside the folder suchthat the representation of the sheet is removed from the folder.
 7. Adata processing system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sheetrepresentation is user moveable through a stylus input device operatingon a working surface beginning at a position corresponding to positionof the sheet representation in the screen view and ending at a positioncorresponding to the desired screen view position outside the folder. 8.A data processing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein a representationof a sheet lying outside the open folder is user repositionable to thetop of a stack in the open folder to insert the sheet representationinto the folder.
 9. A data processing system as claimed in claim 8wherein the sheet representation is user repositionable through a stylusinput device operating on a working surface beginning at a positioncorresponding to the sheet representation outside the open folder in thescreen view and ending at a position corresponding to the screen viewposition of the top of a stack in the folder.
 10. A data processingsystem as claimed in claim 3 wherein:the input device includes a stylus;and the tab member is activated to change the screen view to display theclosed folder representation by the user briefly touching the stylus ona position on a working surface that corresponds to screen view positionof the tab member.
 11. In a data processing system having a videodisplay for displaying a screen view with images of sheets ofinformation and icons of desk accessories, a method of organizingdesired sheets of information comprising the steps of:providing agraphical icon of a folder in the screen view, the folder icon beingchangeable between a representation of an open folder and arepresentation of a closed folder, wherein the open folderrepresentation includes a stack of images of desired sheets on one sideof the open folder, the images being in user established order in thestack; displaying the folder icon in the screen view in its open folderrepresentation; and: moving images of sheets of information relative tothe open folder representation by, moving one image at a time from a topof the stack to an opposite side of the open folder to page through thestack of images, the images placed on the opposite side of the folderforming a stack half, and stopping with a certain image on top of thestack on the one side to form a collection of images of desired sheetsof information one on top of the other in user established order on theopen folder representation, the collection being viewable from the openfolder representation.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11 furthercomprising the step of removing the certain image from the stack tochange the collection of images in the open folder.
 13. A method asclaimed in claim 11 further comprising the step of placing an image onthe certain image to add an image to the open folder.
 14. In a dataprocessing system with a video display, a method of selectivelydisplaying an image of an open file folder and an image of a closed filefolder comprising:a. storing art image of a closed file folder, saidimage including at least a first rectangular body portion; b. storing animage of an open file folder, said image including at least first andsecond rectangular body portions positioned adjacent each other; c.displaying one of said images; d. providing an input to said system; e.in response to said input displaying the other of said images; f.displaying at least one stamp of a sheet of information which iscontained within said file folder, said file folder containing aplurality of stamps, by steps comprisingi. storing a reduced image ofsaid sheet of information as said stamp, said reduced image containingrecognizable and distinguishable details of said sheet of information,said reduced image of said sheet of information thus being unique; andii. displaying said stamp on top of one of said body portions when saidimage of an open file is displayed; g. moving said sheet of informationon said screen with respect to said file folder; and h. providing saidstamps one on top of the other in a stack within said folder anddisplaying said stamps in succession as the top stamp is successivelyremoved from said stack.
 15. The method according to claim 14 whereinsaid step of providing an input comprises pointing to said file andproviding an input while pointing to said file.
 16. The method accordingto claim 15 wherein said step of pointing comprises generating a cursorand positioning said cursor over said image of said folder.
 17. Themethod according to claim 16 wherein said step of positioning saidcursor comprises positioning said cursor using a stylus and pad; andwherein said step of generating said input comprises lifting said stylusfrom said pad while said cursor is on said folder image.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 15, and further including a tab portion adjacent tosaid first body portion and further including the steps of:taking afirst action while providing an input when pointing to said tab portion;and taking a second action while providing an input when pointing tosaid first body portion of said folder.
 19. The method according toclaim 18, wherein pointing to said tab portion and providing said inputwhen said folder is closed enables writing on the first rectangular bodyportion of said folder.
 20. The method according to claim 19, whereinsaid step of pointing comprises generating a cursor and positioning saidcursor utilizing a stylus and pad.
 21. The method according to claim 20,wherein said step of writing comprises writing on said folder with astylus.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said systemincludes a keyboard and wherein said step of writing comprises typing onsaid folder with said keyboard.
 23. In a data processing systemincluding a video display, a method of providing a screen desk viewincluding the display of icon type items and stamp type items, said icontype items including at least a folder icon and said stamp type itemscomprising at least one reduced image of a sheet of information, saidreduced image containing recognizable and distinguishable details ofsaid sheet of information, said reduced image of said sheet ofinformation thus being unique, comprising:a. providing a stamp filecontaining reduced images for each stamp type item to be displayed; b.providing an icon file containing at least an image of an open filefolder and an image of a closed file folder; c. providing a data basefor all items currently displayed on the screen desk view, the data basehaving an entry for each item, said entry describing said item andincluding:i. the location of said item on the screen; ii. the type ofitem; and iii. in the case of the folder icon, the location of the imageof the one of the open and closed folder images not being displayed, andthe location of a data file for the folder contents; d. providing foreach folder displayed a folder data file containing an entry for eachstamp contained in the folder, said entries contained in said file inthe same order that said stamps are in said folder, one on top of theother; e. displaying said desk view including at least one folder withsaid folder closed; f. in response to an input displaying an open folderusing the location of said open folder image stored in the data entryfor said closed folder to access the image of said open folder; g.displaying the stamps in said open folder with the stamp at the top ofsaid folder visible; h. manipulating and rearranging said stamps in saidfolder on said screen; i. reordering said folder file as said stamps arerearranged; and j. displaying a closed file by responding to an inputusing the location of said closed file stored in the entry of said database for said open file to access the image of said closed file.
 24. Themethod according to claim 23, wherein said system includes a pointingdevice and further including:a. generating a cursor; b. moving saidcursor with said pointing device, said pointing device also beingcapable of providing an input to said system; and c. carrying out saidsteps of providing inputs to change between open and closed folders byplacing said cursor on said folder using said pointing device and thenproviding said input and carrying out the step of manipulating saidstamps through the use of said pointing device and cursor.
 25. Themethod according to claim 24, wherein said pointing device comprises astylus and surface representative of said screen view and wherein theprovision of each of said inputs comprises lifting said stylus from saidsurface.
 26. The method according to claim 23 and further including asuperfile associated with each of said stamps containing therein atleast a full size image of the sheet of information contained in thereduced image of said stamp, the location of said superfile also beingcontained in said data entry in said data base and further including thestep of providing, in response to the selection of a stamp and theprovision of an input while the cursor is located on said stamp, thedisplay of a full screen image of the sheet of information contained insaid stamp.
 27. The method according to claim 23, wherein said folderdata file is implemented by an open-ended file.
 28. In a data processingsystem including a video display, a method of providing a screen deskview including the display of icon type items and stamp type items, saidicon type items including at least a folder icon and said stamp typeitems comprising at least one miniaturized image of a sheet ofinformation, comprising:a. providing a stamp file containing stampimages for each stamp type item to be displayed; b. providing an iconfile containing at least an image of an open file folder and an image ofa closed file folder; c. providing a data base for all items currentlydisplayed on the screen desk view, the data base having an entry foreach item, said entry describing said item and including:i. the locationof said item on the screen; ii. the type of item; and iii. in the caseof the folder icon, the location of the image of the one of the open andclosed folder images not being displayed, and the location of a datafile for the folder contents; d. providing for each folder displayed afolder data file containing an entry for each stamp contained in thefolder, said entries contained in said file in the same order that saidstamps are in said folder, one on top of the other, said folder datafile being implemented by a series of changeable doubly-linked files; e.displaying said desk view including at least one folder with said folderclosed; f. in response to an input displaying an open folder using thelocation of said open folder image stored in the data entry for saidclosed folder to access the image of said open folder; g. displaying thestamps in said open folder with the stamp at the top of said foldervisible; h. manipulating and rearranging said stamps in said folder onsaid screen; i. reordering said folder file as said stamps arerearranged; and j. displaying a closed file by responding to an inputusing the location of said closed file stored in the entry of said database for said open file to access the image of said closed file.
 29. Ina data processing system including a video display, a method ofproviding a screen desk view including the display of icon type itemsand stamp type items, said icon type items including at least a foldericon and said stamp type items comprising at least one miniaturizedimage of a sheet of information, comprising:a. providing a stamp filecontaining stamp images for each stamp type item to be displayed;. b.providing an icon file containing at least an image of an open filefolder and an image of a closed file folder; c. providing a data basefor all items currently displayed on the screen desk view, the data basehaving an entry for each item, said entry describing said item andincluding:i. the location of said item on the screen; ii. the type ofitem; and iii. in the case of the folder icon, the location of the imageof the one of the open and closed folder images not being displayed, andthe location of a data file for the folder contents, said data basecomprising a doubly-linked list; d. providing for each folder displayeda folder data file containing an entry for each stamp contained in thefolder, said entries contained in said file in the same order that saidstamps are in said folder, one on top of the other, said folder datafile being implemented by a series of changeable doubly-linked files; e.displaying said desk view including at least one folder with said folderclosed; f. in response to an input displaying an open folder using thelocation of said open folder image stored in the data entry for saidclosed folder to access the image of said open folder; g. displaying thestamps in said open folder with the stamp at the top of said foldervisible; h. manipulating and rearranging said stamps in said folder onsaid screen; i. reordering said folder file as said stamps arerearranged; and j. displaying a closed file by responding to an inputusing the location of said closed file stored in the entry of said database for said open file to access the image of said closed file.
 30. Ina data processing system having a video display for displaying a screenview with images of sheets of information and icons of desk accessories,a graphical icon in the screen view comprisinga tab area, a first mainbody portion generally rectangular in shape with the tab area positionedadjacent one side of the rectangular shape so as to form arepresentation of a folder for holding images of desired sheets ofinformation in a user established order, the representation beingchangeable between a graphical representation of a closed folder inwhich only said first main body portion and said tab area are displayedand a graphical representation of an open folder in which a second mainbody portion generally rectangular in shape disposed adjacent said firstmain body portion and approximately equal in size thereto is alsodisplayed upon user activation of one of the main body and the tab area,and wherein, the first and second main body portions of the graphicalrepresentation of the open folder each hold a stack of sheets ofinformation one on top of the other in user established order, therepresentation of a sheet on top of the stack held on either main bodyportion being moveable to a top of the stack held on the other main bodyportion such that the ordering of the sheets is maintained and thesheets in at least one stack are viewable one at a time.